Asa Wright birding
 

anyone been there recently? any comments on facilities, birding, climate, etc.

thanks
Joan

ttt

Don't know this Trinidad birding center, but Ann Sutton, wife of the late Robert Sutton, the pre-eminent authority on Jamaican birds/bird songs, also does birding tours including stays at her Marshall's Pen Great House near Mandeville, Black River's Great Morass and for parrots, the wild Cockpit Country.

I have stayed there twice. Last time was about a year ago. It is truly a magical place. The birding is outstanding. You don't even have to leave the veranda to see many birds. The rooms aren't great, but are OK. There are two real nice rooms in the main house, but it does get noisy there.
What specific questions do you have?

how hot, humid does it get?. how much walking to get to oilbird cave, etc?

what kind of clothes would you bring?

"how hot, humid does it get?"
Low to mid 90's. Asa Wright is in the northern range so it'll be slightly cooler and breezy. Humidity will be upward of 75%. Walk with light cotton clothing, I'd say. For walking through the hills, good footwear, long pants if you don't want to get mosquito bites and/or scratches from plants, etc.

I'm not sure you can see oil birds at Asa Wright.

It can be quite hot and humid with rain. The walk to the oil bird cave is not far but the terrain is a fairly steep hill. You can only go there with an Asa Wright guide.

will be there in January, so should be less rain?

Both times I was there was in the winter which is the dry season. First time there was no rain, but last year everyone was talking about how much rain they were having in the dry season. If you are going next January, I would just check on-line and see what kind of year they are having. Are you planning on going with a tour group or on your own?

on our own and just for 3 nights. what can you tell me about the place and the birds? sounds like you have been there several times.

Joan, I just wrote a long answer to you and when I hit post, it was lost. Have you checked out the web site? www.asawright.org
The best part of Asa is the verranda. It overlooks a large bird feeding station. Most people go there at daybreak to see a large variety of South American and Caribbean birds. A naturalist with a telescope will be there to help you.
Afternoon tea and pre-dinner rum punch is also served there. The grounds consist of cottages, beautiful flowers and hiking trails. Good tasting meals are served buffet style in a pretty dining room (assigned tables). No TV or phones are on the grounds. Evening entertainment are nature videos and nature walks.